Road building machine



Jan. 2, 1934- I R, MILLER 1,942,034

ROAD BUILDING MACHINE Filed March 3, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 &

INVENTOR H N5 R/VIIL L R,

ATTORNEYS Jan. 2, 1934.

H. R. MILLER ROAD BUILDING MACHINE Filed March 5, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig; 2

INVENTOR H/v5 RM/LLER I I I j ATTORNEYS Jan. 2, R M|LLER 1,942,034

ROAD BUILDING MACHINE Filed March 3, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 3' INVENTOR HANS R. M/LIER ATTORNEY Jan. 2, 1934.

H. R. MILLER ROAD BUILDING MACHINE Filed March 3, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR 52 2 M/LL ER ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 2, 1934. H. R. MILLER ROAD BUILDING MACHINE Filed March 3, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR IL/ ER 45W ATTORNEYS Jan. 2, 1934. H. R. MILLER ROAD BUILDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet Filed March 3, 1930 Patented Jan. 2, 1934.

EENETEE STATES ATENT FFEGE 5 Claims.

This invention relates to road building machinery and is an improvement on the invention disclosed in my pending application for U. S. Letters Patent entitled Road building machinery, S. N. 285,388, filed June 14th, 1928.

In my said prior application, I disclosed an eflicient machine adapted to level grades, fill cuts, and remove, collect and dump material as desired, under the control of the operator or driver. The said machine is propelled under its own power and does the combined work of steam or power shovels, elevator graders, dump wagons and bulldozers, thereby economizing upon the machinery and equipment necessary for building and maintaining roads and economizing greatly upon the labor required, in that the machine may be operated and driven by one operator.

It is an object of my present invention to provide an improved machine having a greater capacity for work and adapted to plow and remove dirt when driven either forwardly or rearwardly and adapted to collect the plowed material and dump the same forwardly or rearwardly of the tracks or other supporting means for the machine, under the control and adjustment of the driver.

I is a further object to provide a road building machine of the type above described, having a plow provided with forwardly and rearwardly extending cutting edges so constructed and associated with an elevator and a receiving hopper that dirt may be plowed, removed, collected and dumped when th machine is moving either forwardly or rearwardly over the ground.

A further object is to provide a machine of the class described, which may be easily and accurately guided in either a forward or rearward direction and wherein the plow and the forward and rearward ends of the dumping hopper will always substantially follow the advancing end of the machine, and will not be swerved out of alinement when the machine is turning or shifting its course. With my machine, the plow and dumping end of the hopper may be as accurately guided when the machine is traveling in a rearward direction as when it is moving forwardly, thereby enabling the plow to accurately follow the shoulder or ditch around a sharp curve or corner.

Another object is to provide a road-building machine, which will efficiently dig material from a point located outwardly of the supporting means of the machine, for instance, from a ditch at the side of the road or from a bank located at a considerably higher level than the road or ground on which the machine is supported and which will elevate and convey the plowed material to the opposite side of the machine and distribute it directly or collect it for future distribution if desired. 7

Still another object is to provide efficient control mechanism and adjustment mechanism for the several working parts which will enable one driver or attendant to conveniently and accurately operate the machine in all its uses and functions in traveling forwardly or rearwardly.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an assembled embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the plow and elevator;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the machine; 7

Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing the collecting and dumping hopper; i

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken longitudinally through the plow with the forward plow positioned for forward operation of the machine;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the same line as in Fig. 5 but with the auxiliary or rear plow projected for operation; and the forward plow swung outwardly; and

Fig. '7 is a front elevation of the plow positioned as shown in Fig. 6.

Frame, tracks and equalizer for frame As illustrated, my road building machine is wholly supported upon a pair of widely spaced traction members of the endless track type, indicated as entireties by the letter T. If desired, the frame and tracks may be built up from a tractor of the endless traction type, the heavy axle for the tracks being extended a sufficient distance to accommodate the width of my dumping conveyor. As illustrated, my extension axle is lettered A, the ends being journaled in heavy bearings 11, which are secured to the top of the channel beams 12 constituting the frame members for tracks T. The tracks are of conventional type and are driven in the usual manner from a heavy driving shaft D, which has driving engagement through a gear 13 with a bevel pinion 14 fixed to the propeller shaft P of the motor M. Motor M and its associated parts are mounted on a suitable frame, indicated as an entirety by the numeral F in Fig. 1 and suitably supported from the front portion of the all tracks as will hereafter more clearly appear. Bolsters are not used in association with the forward or swinging ends of the tracks but the forward portion of the frame F and the entire frame work of the machine are suspended from two heavy forward uprights U which are connected at their lower ends with the forward ends of the tracks and which have forked lower portions straddling the tracks and connected with the frame of the tracks by means of short shafts 16, said shafts, as shown, being journaled in suitable bearings 16a on the heavy channel frames 12 of the tracks.

A suspension upright 18 (see Fig. 1) is disposed at the forward and left hand side of my device to the upper end of which is rigidly secured a heavy yoke 19, which carries a large sheave 20 pivoted on a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine and the lower end of upright 18 is secured to a cross beam (not shown) on which the motor is supported.

On the right hand side of my device, and substantially alined with the upright U is a second suspension upright 21, which is rigidly secured to the outer side of my collecting and dumping hopper H, which will later be described. Upright 21 also has rigidly attached to the upper end thereof a heavy yoke 22 having therein a large sheave 23 similar to the sheave 20 at the left hand side.

The suspension uprights 18 and 21 are suspended from the upper ends of the heavy uprights U by means of a simple but highly efficient equalizing device, consisting in a connection member having flexible ends, such as the chains 24, the inner ends of said chains being connected together by rods 25 and 26 and a compression spring device 27 being interposed between the ends of the rods to break any sudden shocks and provide sufficient yielding action. The chains 24 are attached at their outer ends to the upper ends of theheavy uprights U, pass around and beneath sheaves 20 and 23 respectively and are connected at their inner ends to rods 25 and 26 respectively.

At the rear of each of the tracks T (see Figs. 3 and 4) a heavy upright channel 28 is provided, and the two channels 28 are connected with castings or other means, which are in turn secured to the heavy axle A. The upright channels 28 support the weight of the rear portions of hopper H and the other devices and mechanisms of my machine, said channels having direct thrust upon the axle A.

It will be noticed that my machine is comparatively wide and that the two traction elements are spaced a considerable distance apart and will tend to twist the frame of my machine when the traction members are traveling over uneven ground. My equalizing device, previously described, will maintain the forward portion of the frame and machine substantially parallel with the heavy axle A, provided the frame is properly reinforced and sufficiently rigid. 65'

of the frame work, that is, the suspension uprights 18 and 21 and the two heavy channels 28. This bridging, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, comprises a series of diagonal braces or tie-rods, rigidly connected with the said uprights and channels, several of said braces being diagonally disposed and connected with a post disposed medially of the two tracks T and in alinement with the rear upright channel 28. Bridging B maintains the several uprights in proper supporting position and prevents sagging or twisting of the frame work and cooperates with the equalizing mechanism to render the same operative.

PZo-w and elevator construction The wide tractor frame, previously described, carries an elevator and plow disposed outwardly of the left hand track and the elevator delivers plowed material to a cross conveyor indicated as an entirety by the letter C, which cross conveyor delivers to an elongated dumping and collecting hopper H on the right hand side of the machine and positioned just inwardly of the right hand track.

The plow is specially constructed to dig and remove material when the machine is traveling either forwardly or rearwardly, and to this end has a forward blade or scoop and a rearwardly extending scoop 64, hereafter designated as my auxiliary plow.

The elevator includes a pair of elongated side walls 37 and said side walls are secured together and spaced apart by a cross angle 38 at their upper and rearward ends and by a series of roller shafts 39,.the ends of which are bolted against the outer surfaces of the walls 37. Adjacent the lower edges of the walls 37 and at the forward part of the elevator, a large plate 40 traverses the walls and, as shown, is secured to the opposing walls by means of angle brackets 41, this plate also assisting in strengthening and spacing the walls apart. The plow 35 has a U-shaped body, the sides of the U being pivoted at their upper ends on pivots 36 to the side walls of a large yoke, indicated as an entirety by the letter Y. Yoke Y may comprise a pair of substantially triangular shaped side walls 42 connected together at their upper ends by means of a heavy bail which may be in the form of a T-bar 43, having downturned ends 43a. The walls 42 of yoke Y extend on the outer side of the walls 37 of the elevator and have pivotal connection with the lower ends of said elevator walls by shaft 44, which also acts as the shaft for a lower roller 45 for the conveyor belt 46 of the elevator. The upper run of endless conveyor belt 46 engages and passes over a series of spaced rollers 39a which are mounted on the spaced shafts 39. The upper or rearward roller 47 for conveyor belt 46 is mounted at its ends in the forked ends 48a of a pair of belt tightening I5 and reinforcing members shown in the form of pipes 48, extending longitudinally of and between the upper and lower runs of the conveyor belt and having their lower ends provided with thrust members 49, which have eyes or bearings f" in which the lower roller conveyor shaft 44 is mounted. The forks 48a have their stems telescoped within the upper ends of pipes 48 and adjustment nuts 50 are threadedly connected with the stems of the forks and abut the ends of the pipes 48 and said ends of the pipes pass through the heavy angle bar 38 which rigidly connects the sides 37 of the elevator at the rear and upper ends of said sides. The thrust membars 49 at the two longitudinal sides of the coni veyor belt may be adjusted (see Fig. 5) by means of nut 49a to adjust the alinement of the lower roller with the upper roller.

A self-adjusting auxiliary conveyor of the slat type is mounted above and cooperates with the "o elevator conveyor 46. My auxiliary or upper conveyor is mounted in a frame comprising a pair of elongated bars 52 extending longitudinally of the sides of the elevator and some distance above the conveyor belt 46. The upper ends of the bars 52 are pivoted externally of and to the upper portions of elevator walls 37 by means of pivots or rivets 53 (see Fig. 2), permitting the lower ends of the bars to rise and fall and to swing on said pivots. Bars 52 may terminate at their lower ends in downwardly curved extremities between which is pivoted a relatively large hollow drum 54, which constitutes the. lower roller for the auxiliary conveyor. Each end of the drum is provided with a pair of spaced circumferential flanges 54a, each pair forming a chain-receiving channel. The conveyor comprises spaced endless chains 55 trained about the channels 54a and about sprockets 56, said sprockets being fixed to a shaft 57 which is provided at its ends with bearings, said bearings being secured in chain tightening forks 58, the stems of which are telescoped within sleeves 59 which sleeves are rigidly connected with the upper and rearward ends of elongated chain channels 60, said channels being connected at their forward ends by means of curved depending bars 60a with the heavy shaft 54b for the drum 54. A cross channel or bar 61 spaces the forward ends of chain channels 60 apart and reinforces them and an angle 62 (see Fig. 2) spaces the rear ends of said channels apart and is secured thereto. Angle bar 62 serves as an abutment for the chain tightening sleeves 59 and moreover is adapted to engage the upper edges of the elevator walls 37 to limit the downward movement of the auxiliary conveyor frame. The chains 55 are provided with a series of spaced slats which may comprise angle bars 55a connected at their ends to oppositely disposed links of the chains.

The forward end of the auxiliary conveyor may swing upwardly on the axis of the pivots 53, while the rear and upper end of the auxiliary conveyor is loosely disposed with reference to the walls 37 of the elevator and is free to also move upwardly. To guide the upward movement of the auxiliary conveyor, I provide projecting guide posts 63, as shown, at each wall of the elevator and rigidly secured to the walls and projecting upwardly at substantially right angles to the upper longitudinal edge of the walls, and these guides slidably engage the frame bars 52.

My auxiliary or rearwardly extending plow comprises a scoop-shaped plate 64 having a sharp cutting edge and hinged to a heavy shaft 65, which traverses the lower ends of yoke Y adjacent the forward edges of the yoke. A pair of heavy links 66 are connected at their lower ends to side flanges 64a of plow 64 and at their upper ends to a sliding sleeve 67 slidably mounted on rods 68 secured to plate 40 and also to the lower edges of walls 3'? of the elevator. The upper pivots 66a of the links 66 have attached thereto actuating rods 69 which extend upwardly, longitudinally of the elevator and connect with rocker arms '70 which are fixed to a rock shaft 71, which rock shaft extends transversely through the walls of the elevator and is connected with a suitable control lever, (not shown), conveniently located for manipulation by the driver.

Within the lower end of conveyor belt 46 I provide a scraper or cleaner, comprising a concavoconvex plate 72 with its forward edge out out to closely fit roller 45 and with its rear portion inclined downwardly at the sides thereof forming. chutes for delivering mud or other material scraped from the roller, said material being de-- livered laterally of the conveyor belt.

Another scraper or cleaner '73 for .engaging the under side of the upper leaf of the belt is suitably supported from a cross bar 73a positioned within the leaves of the conveyor belt and having its ends secured to the walls 37 of the elevator. This cleaner may be constructed of rubber and has its upper longitudinal edge positioned inengagement with the under surface of conveyor belt 46.

Hoisting and adjusting mechanism for elevator and plow I provide mechanism'for varying the height of the fulcrum or rear end of the elevator, and also mechanism for hoisting and adjusting the forward end of the elevator and the plow. The first mentioned adjusting mechanism, as a rule, is only utilized when it is desirable to dig a deep ditch at the side of a road and to maintain the mounted on a vertical screw shaft '78 and in- 11 cludes an internally threaded sleeve 7'7 threadedly engaging said screw shaft. The eye or aperture of bracket 76 is of sufficient width to permit the cross beam 38 to have a limited lateral sliding movement therein for a purpose later to be described and to also permit beam 38 to rock therein. The screw shaft 78 is journaled at its upper and lower ends in suitable bearings 780'. which are secured in the top and bottom of a housing '79 rigidly attached with heavy parts of the frame of my machine. Cross beam 38 is maintained in horizontal position by means of an equalizing device comprising a chain or flexible member 80 attached to beam 38 outward of supporting bracket '76, said chain passing over a sheave 81 positioned above the upper end of worm '78 and extending in a downwardly inclined direction and passing beneath a sheave 82 positioned below the end of cross beam 38, the inner end of said chain being connected with cross beam 38 1130 at a point 38a adjacent the inner end of said beam.

The rotation of screw shaft 78 varies the height of sleeve '7'? and supporting bracket '76, which bracket supports the rear end of the elevator through cross beam 38.

The screw shaft '78, as shown, is provided with a loosely mounted driving gear mounted on a sleeve which has clutch engagement at 781) with the lower end of screw shaft 78 and which is M0 normally held out of engagement with said screw shaft by gravity. Clutch engagement between said parts may be made by any suitable mechanism, such as by a'shipper lever 78c indicated in Fig. 3.

The depth of the plow and adjustment of the forward end of the elevator is controlled by a hoisting mechanism connected with the heavy yoke Y, the elevator swinging or rocking on the supporting bracket '76 at its rear end. My hoist-' ing mechanism includes a heavy guide shaft 8e (see especially Figs. 2, 3 and 5) inclined forwardly slightly from the vertical and connected at its upper end with my reinforcing bridging B by means of a tie rod 85, which, as shown, extends across the top of the machine. Guide shaft 84 is connected at its intermediate portion by means of a bar or link 86 to the upright channel 28 at the rear and left side of the machine. The lower end of guide shaft 84, as best shown in Fig. 7, is connected by a heavy plate 87 with the outer horizontal channel 12 of the adjacent track. A pair of heavy spaced sleeves 88 are rigidly secured to the inner arm or wall 42 of the heavy yoke Y, which as has been stated, is connected with the forward end of the elevator and sleeves 88 are slidably mounted upon shaft 84. A heavy rack 89 is rigidly secured to the inner wall 42 of the yoke Y and extends parallel with guide shaft 84 and spaced a short distance therefrom. The forward end of the bar or link 86 is connected with a pinion bracket 90 which surrounds the medial portion of guide shaft 34 and is rigidly secured thereto by suitable means. A heavy 'pinion 91 is journaled in bracket 90, said pinion meshing with the teeth of rack 89. The pinion shaft (see Figs. 1 and 3) is connected by a universal joint 92 with a driving shaft 93 provided with suitable universal joints and connected at its 'rear end with a worm gear 94 which is disposed within the housing 79, and which is meshed with a short heavy worm 95 fixed to a driving shaft 96 connected with the source of power, as will hereafter be described.

The height of the plow and forward end of the elevator is adjusted by the driving of hoisting pinion 91, the elevator swinging on its cross beam or fulcrum 38. Since the guide shaft 84 is straight and not curved concentrically with the fulcrum point, to facilitate the swinging of the elevator it is necessary that the fulcrum or cross beam 38 have sufficient play in its supporting bracket 76 for limited lateral sliding movement. This has been effected by forming the eye in bracket 76 of sumcient size to permit the necessary play.

Cross conveyor A cross conveyor, indicated as an entirety by the letter C is supported at the rear of my device inclined slightly upward from its outward receiving end and adapted to deliver material at a point above hopper H. This conveyor includes a frame comprising a pair of spaced side walls 98, the outer ends thereof being disposed below the delivery end of the elevator conveyor 46. Walls 98 are spaced apart and secured together by a series of parallel roller shafts 99 extending transversely at the bottom of the hopper. Supporting rollers 100 are rotatably mounted on the several roller shafts 99 and a relatively large end roller or drum 163 is mounted at the inner end of the conveyor frame, with its upper surface in substantial alinement with rollers 100, and an endless conveyor belt 102 is trained about the several rollers 180 and the large roller 103, the lower run of said belt passing over the belt tightening roller 103a. The outwardly disposed end of the cross conveyor C is provided with an end wall 104 adapted to facilitate the receiving of material delivered to the cross conveyor by the elevator.

The inner or delivery end of conveyor C is suitably supported from the inner longitudinal upper edge of the hopper H, the lower edges of the walls 98 being fulcrumed and hingedly connected therewith. The outer end of the conveyor frame is adjustably supported by means of a large bell crank lever 105 (see Fig. 2) having a rearwardly extending arm 105a which underlies and supports the forward portion of conveyor C and which is maintained in horizontal position at different levels by means of a parallelogram connection device, associated with the yoke Y of the elevator frame. Bell crank lever 105 is pivoted on the exterior of the inner elevator wall 37 on a shaft 106 adjacent the cross angle 38. The upper arm of the bell crank lever 105 projects above the upper edge of the walls 37 of the elevator and is connected with a link 107 the forward end of which is pivoted to the inner wall or arm of yoke Y. Since yoke Y at the lower ends of its arms is pivoted on shaft 44, of the elevator, a parallelogram relation will be maintained at points 44, 108 (the pivot for the bell crank) and the two pivots for link 107. Consequently, the outer end of cross conveyor C will be raised and lowered in accordance with the position of the rearward end of my elevator and will always be maintained regardless of its height in horizontal position.

The roller 103 for the cross conveyor is fixed to a driving shaft 108 (see Fig. 1) which extends longitudinally and forwardly of the machine, the forward end being journaled in a heavy bracket 109 which is secured to the inner and upper edge of hopper H and which accommodates a worm gear 110 connected, as will hereafter be described, with the source of power.

CoZZecting and dumping mechanism My collecting and dumping hopper H is located at the right hand side of the machine extending from a point considerably in advance of the forward end of the right hand track to a point projected rearwardly considerably beyond the rear of the right hand track. The hopper comprises a pair of heavy reinforced side walls 112 rigidly connected together at their upper edges by a forward cross angle bar 113 and a rearward cross angle bar 114. The lower edges of walls 112 are rigidly connected by means of thecross beams 115 disposed below the front and rear of the hopper and, as shown, these beams each comprise a. pair of angle bars secured together in Z shape in cross section. The rear of the hopper H is supported from the heavy axle A of the machine through suitable plates or castings, while the forward portion of the hopper is suspended from the bridging B by means of the upright 21 and the heavy bracket or plate 116.

A series of closely spaced transverse supporting rollers 117 extend between the lower edges of the hopper walls 112, the shafts 117a of said rollers being secured to said walls and further reinforcing and connecting the same. A forward relatively large conveyor roller 118 is mounted in suitable bearings 119, said bearings being slidably disposed for horizontal adjustment in brackets 120 secured below the forward end of the hopper. A rear conveyor roller 121 of substantially similar size to roller 118 is journaled in bearings 122 slidably mounted for horizontal adjustment in heavy brackets 123, which are suspended and spaced from the lower edges of the rear of hopper H, bearings 122 being slidable between said brackets and the lower edges of hopper walls 112. A pair of elongated belt tightening screws 124 are provided for the rear roller extending through rear beam 115 and having threaded engagement with sleeves provided therein, the rear ends of said screws engaging bearings 122 and adapted to adjust the position ofsaid bearings. Similar belt adjusting screws 125 are provided for the forward rollers extending through the forward cross beam 115, the movement of bearings 119, however, being more limited, the intention being to provide adjustment for alinement of the forward roller rather than substantial belt tightening.

An endless conveyor belt 126 surrounds rollers 118 and 121 and the upper run thereof is supported upon rollers 117 and constitutes the bottom of the hopper. The lower leaf of the belt 126 as shown, passes over a pair of guide rollers 127 spaced some distance below the bottom of the hopper.

The forward end of the hopper H is open and the rear end is provided with a suitable end gate 128, which, as shown, is hinged at its upper end, to suitable brackets 129 secured to the rear and upper cross angle bar 114. End gate 128 is operated by means of a pair of elongated rods 130, one disposed at each side of hopper H extending longitudinally thereof, the rear ends of which are connected, by suitable brackets 130a,

. with gate 128 and the forward ends of which are connected to arms 131 fixed to a rock shaft 132 which extends transversely across the upper edges of the medial portions of the hopper walls 112, suitable bearingsbeing provided. An operating crank 133 is connected with the inner end of gate controlling rock shaft 132 (see Fig. 2) and is disposed for convenient manipulation by the operator. Suitable means are provided for adjusting the opening of my gate 128 and to '1 this end, I have illustrated a series of outwardly projecting spring pressed pins 133a mounted on the inner wall 112 of hopper, H and arranged circumferentially of rock shaft 132 in order to engage the crank handle 133 and retain the same .in a number of various positions.

Driving connection between motor and tracks (see Figs. 1 and 3) Motor M is provided with a conventional transmission mechanism (not shown), which, however, is disposed just rearwardly of the fly wheel. As has been stated, the driving and propeller shaft P of the motor rigidly carries the driving pinion 14 which is in mesh with the bevel gear 13 fixed to a cross shaft D which is connectible Controls for driving the tracks I provide efficient control mechanism for each track adapted, by the manipulation of a single lever, to release one of the clutches 136 and immediately thereafter, by further swinging of the lever, apply one of the brake mechanisms 139. The travel, turning or stopping of my machine, consequently may thus be easily and accurately controlled by two levers.

In the case of the left hand tracks, a vertical control shaft 140 is suitably mounted at the left and rear of the fly wheel of the engine having secured to the upper end thereof a crank handle 141. A short lever 141a is fixed to the lower end with the short brake actuating arm Q. It will be seen that when the crank handle 141 is pulled rearwardly that the shipper fork 138 will be immediately thrown inwardly releasing the clutch for the left track. Further swinging of crank 141 will cause link 143 after the play in its slotted .end is taken up, to swing lever 144 rearwardly and thus operate the brake.

The clutch and brake mechanisms for the right track are provided with a similar control mechanism connected with the crank handle 141, but many of the parts have not been numbered in the drawings due to the lack of space.

Driving mechanism for the elevator and the conveyors (see Figs. '1 to 4) The various conveyors, including the plow con-, veyor, cross conveyor C anddumping conveyor, as well as the plow elevating and adjusting mechanism are all driven from the power take-off shaft 145 of the motor- This shaft, as shown in the drawings, extends above and is vertically aligned with the motor propeller shaft P and its connection with the fly wheel is broken away, as shown in Fig. 1. Power take-off shaft 145 is extended rearwardly and has fixed thereto a beveled gear G, which forms a part of a clutch and reversing mechanism, which is housed in a heavy casing I. Bevel gear G is meshed with a pinion J which is connected through a suitable clutch mechanism K with an inclined shaft L carrying at its upper end a worm N, which meshes with the worm gear 110, which worm gear as has been described, is fixed to the driving shaft 108 for cross conveyor C. The conveyor belt of the plow elevator and the auxiliary conveyor ofthe elevator. are both driven from the cross conveyor driving shaft 188. Shaft 108 carries a bevel driving gear 108a, which meshes with bevel gear 0. Said bevel gear is mounted on a stub shaft journaled in a heavy bearing carried by a bracket R secured to the upper edge of the left wall of the hopper H. The said stub shaft is connected by a driving shaft S, which has universal joints in each end thereof to the upper belt conveyor roller 47 of the lower elevator conveyor.

The upper or auxiliary conveyor of the elevator is driven by means of a driving shaft V connected at its outer end by a universal joint with the sprocket shaft 57 at the upper end of said auxiliary conveyor and the inner end of shaft V is connected by a universal joint with the stub shaft of a spur gear W, which is mounted in bracket R and which is meshed with a spur gear SG disposed below it.

The collecting and dumping conveyor 126 is positively driven at both ends of the'hopper H and to this end, an elongated driving shaft 150 is provided extending longitudinally between the inner wall of the hopper and the motor frame and journaled at its forward end in' a suitable gear'case 150a and at its rear end in a gear case 151, shaft 150 projecting through case 151 and being secured by a universal joint to an extension shaft 152, the rear end of which has afiixed thereto a worm 153 meshed with a large worm gear 154 which worm gear is attached to the extension of the shaft 121a of the rear roller 121 for the dumping conveyor (see Figs. 1 and 2). Worm 153 and worm gear 154 are housed in a suitable gear case 155. A worm 156 is fixed to the forward end of shaft 150 meshing with a large worm gear 157 which is fixed to the shaft of the forward conveyor roller 118. Worm 156 and worm gear 157 are housed in the gear case 150a. Shaft 150 is provided within gear case 151 with a beveled gear 158 which meshes with a beveled gear 159 fixed to the end of a short shaft 160, which shaft has a forward and reverse driving connection with the clutch and transmission mechanism housed in casing I.

The operation of the plow, and hoisting and adjusting mechanism has previously been described, the shaft 96 being connected for driving both the screw shaft to adjust the inclination of the elevator and also driving (through worm 96,

worm gear 94 and the connection shaft 93), the pinion 91 which raises the heavy yoke Y of the plow. The driving shaft 96 for this mechanism is enclosed in a suitable housing 96a and has a bevel gear pinion 96b at its forward end which is in constant mesh with a forward and reversing gear of the clutch and transmission mechanism disposed in casing I. Since the driving mechanism for the plow hoist includes the worm and worm gear 94 the plow and forward end of the elevator will be held at any desired elevation within the limits without additional supporting means.

Transmission and clutch mechanism for plow adjustments and dumping conveyor (mechanism in large gear case I) On the extension of power-take-off shaft 145, which is mounted in housing I, a gear I is loosely mounted and this gear has'frictional clutch driving engagement through clutch mechanism I with the gear G fixed to said shaft. The short shaft 160 for driving the hopper conveyor is provided with a pinion 16911 which is constantly meshed with gear I and also with the reverse gear I which is associated with a frictional clutch mechanism I connected with shaft 145. A shift lever I carrying a suitable shipper fork is adapted to operate friction plates within the clutch devices I and I and is controlled for forward movement by means of a forwardly extending rod 165 connected at its forward end to a depending arm 166 fixed to a rock shaft 167. Rock shaft 167 extends transversely across the motor frame at the rear of the motor and is journaled at its ends in suitable bearings and a pedal 168 is fixed to the medial portion of said shaft, which pedal controls, through the shift lever 1 the forward movement of collecting and dumping conveyor 126. A sleeve 169 is rotatively mounted on rock shaft 167 and is eccentrically connected by means of a rod 170 with shift lever I the said connection being disposed above rock shaft 16']. Sleeve 169 has rigidly attached thereto a pedal lever 171 which controls through shift lever I the rearward driving of dumping conveyor 126.

As has been previously stated, the mechanism for hoisting or elevating the forward end of the elevator and the plow is driven through the shaft 96, which is provided at its inner end with the pinion 96b. Pinion 96b is associated with transmission mechanism exactly similar to the reverse transmission mechanism previously described for controlling the dumping conveyor mechanism. The transmission mechanism for the plow adjustments, located directly to the rear of the dumping conveyor transmission mechanism controls both the forward plow hoist and the adjustment at the rear end of the elevator. Through this reversing gear transmission mechanism, the said screw shaft 78 and pinion 91 may be driven in clockwise or counterclockwise directions at the election of the driver and the transmission mechanism is shifted by means of a shift lever 172, the outer end of said shift lever being connected by a pair of rods with a control pedal 173 for driving the plow hoisting and elevator adjusting mechanism upwardly and with a pedal lever 174 for driving the elevator adjusting and the plow hoisting mechanism downwardly. The pedal 173 and pedal lever 174 are mounted on the rock shaft 16'? in the precise manner of the pedal 16B and pedal lever 1'71 and the connections for the said levers and the shift lever 1'72 are similar to the connections between the controls for the dumping conveyor previously described.

Attachment 1'01 bank sloper As shown in Fig. 1, the outer wall of the yoke Y may be provided with apertures and lugs or other suitable attachment means for mounting a bank sloper at the outer side of the plow. The bank sloper is indicated in dotted lines and is numbered BS.

Operation by the pedals 173 and 174.

Assuming the machine is traveling in a forward direction, the plows or scoops will be positioned, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, and material will be graded and removed at the side of the machine just outwardly of the left track, dirt or material being conveyed upwardly by the cooperation of the main and auxiliary conveyors of the elevator. If the plow is removing a thick stratum of dirt or material, the upper conveyor of the elevator will adjust itself in proper spaced relation to the lower conveyor, swinging at its forward end on the pivoted bars 52. The rear of the upper auxiliary conveyor is yieldingly held downwardly against the material by its weight but is free to slide upwardly, guided by the posts 63. The plowed material is discharged by the elevator upon the left end of the cross conveyor C and from there is conveyed to the rear end of dumping hopper H. It will be noticed that the delivery end of the cross conveyor is disposed above the upper edge of hopper H thereby permitting'the hopper to be loaded to full capacity by applying power to the dumping conveyor 126 from time to time to progressively move the dumping conveyor in a forwardly direction.

Whenever it is desirable to dump material from the rear of dumping hopper H, the rear end gate 128 may be opened, causing material from cross conveyor C to be dumped directly upon the ground without collection on the dumping conveyor 126 or if the machine is not plowing material, the conveyor belt 126 may be reversed to cause the collected material to be 159 dumped from the rear of the hopper. The power connections with the dumping conveyor are controlled by the pedals 168 and 171.

The opening of the end gate 128 of the dumping hopper may be adjusted by the crank handle 133 associated with the pins 133a thereby controlling the amount of material dumped while the plow is in operation.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that with my device, material may be plowed and removed from one side of the road outwardly of the left hand track and may be dumped either from the forward or rearward end of the dumping hopper at the opposite side or upon the crown of the road.

It is often desirable to distribute dirt or other material ahead of the machine, for instance, in soft spots in a road bed; and to this end, the dumping conveyor 126, loaded with material, may be slowly moved in a forward direction, spreading material ahead of the right hand track and distributing the material substantially uniformly as desired. Y

All functions of my machine may be conveniently controlled by one operator, seated atthe rear of the motor. The guiding and steering of the machine in either a forwardly or rearwardly direction is accurately and conveniently controlled by the two hand controls 141 and the plow and dumping conveyor will always follow the advancing end of the machine when the machine is turning. All the said functions of my machine may be obtained when the machine is traveling in a rearward direction. The rear plow or scoop 64 is swung downwardly by means of its control lever connected with the rock shaft 71. The forward plow or scoop 35 is swung outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 6 through its scraping engagement with the ground. The material plowed will pass between the scoop 64 and the lower end of elevating conveyor 46 and will be elevated through the cooperation of the lower and upper conveyors, being carried to the dumping hopper H where it may be distributed as desired from either end thereof. The machine may be as accurately guided when traveling in a rearward direction as when traveling forwardly, since the entire machine is supported upon the two endless tracks, the driving of which is controlled by my novel clutch and brake controls operated through handles 141. The plow and dumping hopper may, therefore, be caused to accurately follow desired lines of travel and will not be swerved from the desired paths when the course of the machine is changed, such as in turning a sharp curve. With devices supported upon two pairs of wheels, one being moun ed for turning or steering, the plow and dumping hopper would be intially swerved in the opposite direction from the advancing end of the machine when the machine was turning. With my device, whether the machine is driven forwardly or rearwardly the plow and dumping hopper always follow in proper alinement with the advancing end of the machine.

The elevator and plow are capable of wide adjustment in height for the purpose of enabling my machine to cut a ditch at one side of the road and at a level disposed below the lower run of the left hand track and for also enabling the machine to cut down a bank at the side of the road where the cut is made at a height considerably above the lower run of the left hand track. In cutting a deep ditch it is sometimes desirable to adjust the height of the rear end of the elevator in order that the inclination of the elevator will not betoo steep. This is readily accomplished by putting into operation the heavy screw shaft 78. I

When the machine is plowing in a forward direction, it will be noticed that the slats a of auxiliary conveyor 55 will engage the material just above the scoop or plow 35 and will assist in pulling the plow forwardly, overcoming to a large extent any tendency to side draft. The bank sloperBS may be attached when desired and will be properly positioned at the forward left hand wall of theplow to swing efficiently. 1 1

Attention is called to the combination of my equalizing device and reinforcing bridge work and its relation with the frame and working parts of my machine, I desire to plow and remove material from one side of the road and to deliver and distribute the plowed material under adjustment at a point considerably removed from the plow and usually at the opposite side of the road or on the crown. This requires a very wide frame on which the several conveyors and working mechanisms aremounted. With the irregularities in the contour of reads, it will be apparent that oftentimes the forward end of one of the tracks will be supported at'a much higher level than the forward end of the opposite track. The usual spring bolsters or other yielding supports used in tractors are totally inadequate to prevent the frame from twisting with the consequent damage to the working parts. By suspending the forward end of the frame from the heavy uprights U in the manner disclosed, and by secondly rigidly reinforcing the frame by the bridging B I have entirely overcome this objection and my device will function perfectly regardless of bad irregularities in the contour of the ground.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided a highly efficient road building machine which is propelled by its own power and which will do the work of steam shovels, elevator graders, dump wagons, plows, bulldozers and bank slopers and which may be controlled and driven by one operator.

What is claimed is:

1. In a, road building machine, a frame, means for supporting said frame for movement over T? the ground, a plow, an elongated hopper carried by said frame, an endless conveyor in the bottom of said hopper, means for driving said conveyor both forwardly and rearwardly, an end gate at one end of said hopper, means for conveying material from said plow to said hopper, said means delivering said material above said hopper and adjacent said end gate, and means for adjusting the opening of said end gate to cause a portion of the plowed material to be dumped without collection and to regulate the amount so dumped.

2. In a road building machine, a frame, means for supporting said frame for movement over the ground, an elevator mounted at one side of lot wholly supporting said frame, a plow carried by said frame, a dumping conveyor mounted on said frame and removed from said plow, means for conveying material from said plow to said dumping conveyor, said driving tracks being mounted on an axle at one end with their opposite ends free for swinging movement, a pair of uprights connected with the swingable ends of said tracks and alined transversely of said frame, and equalizing mechanism comprising a member having flexible ends secured to said uprights, and passing beneath a pair of sheaves connected with said frame, whereby one end of said frame is suspended from said equalizing member.

4. In a road building machine, a wide frame, a pair of endless tracks wholly supporting said frame, means for driving said tracks forwardly and rearwardly, a plow connected with one of the sides of said frame constructed and adapted to dig and remove material both when the machine is traveling in a forward and rearward direction, means for receiving material from said plow and dumping the same from a point on said machine located between said tracks, a hopper extending longitudinally of said frame and receiving from said last mentioned means, a horizontal conveyor in the bottom of said hopper, means for driving said conveyor both forwardly and rearwardly, said hopper having delivery openings at both ends thereof whereby collected material may be dumped upon the ground by the operation of said conveyor from either end of said hopper and means for independently controlling the driving of each of said tracks whereby the machine may be driven on a curved course either forwardly or rearwardly and said plow and the point of dumping will not be swerved from the desired course.

5. 'In a road building machine, a frame, means for supporting said frame for movement over the ground, power means for moving said frame forwardly and rearwardly over the ground, a plow mounted at one of the sides of said frame and constructed to dig and remove material both when the machine is traveling forwardly and when the machine is traveling rearwardly, a dumping and collecting hopper mounted on said frame, means for conveying material from said plow to said hopper and for dropping said material upon said hopper at a point considerably above the bottom of said hopper, a dumping conveyor mounted in the bottom of said hopper and means for driving said conveyor in forwardly or rearwardly direction, said hopper having delivery openings at both ends thereof for the dumping of material from either end.

HANS R. MILLER. 

